They shut me up in Prose by Emily Dickinson

Analysis

"They shut me up in Prose" is a poem written by Emily Dickinson. This is seen as a rebellious poem. It states that they try to make her only write only in prose and it is as if they lock her inside a closet and they do not let her out. Nonetheless, by locking her up, they didn't quiet her. She compares it to locking up a bird, but he has will and becomes free.

This poem is written as three stanzas with four lines in each. Dickinson rhymes the second and fourth lines. The even lines are also shorter than the odd lines in terms of syllables.

Johnson number: 613

Poem

They shut me up in ProseBy Emily Dickinson
They shut me up in Prose -
As when a little Girl
They put me in the Closet-
Because they liked me "still" -
Still! Could themself have peeped -
And seen my Brain-go round -
They might as wise have lodged a Bird
For Treason-in the Pound-
Himself has but to will
And easy as a Star
Abolish his Captivity-
And laugh-No more have I -